Short Eared Owl behaviour

A short Eared Owl starts to hunt flying low over rough grass fields on the high ground of West Cornwall.  It  soon spots a vole and turns sharply to dive down to trap it with powerful talons

It guards the prey with spread wings to hid it from other birds of prey and kills it with those powerful talons

When the vole is dead it is transferred to the beak leaving the Owls strong legs free for take -off,

In the air the prey is returned to the talons to keep the beak and nasal passages clear for breathing. 

On route a feisty Kestrel swoops in and makes an aerial grab for the prey but this time the Owl wins the day and the vole is taken away to a safe location to be dispatched or stored for consumption later

Kestrel are just one of the threats that the Owl have to cope with.   There were four other shortie's working in this territory and all are constantly in dispute over this rich patch of grassland as can be seen from the final images below.